“Time to Move On”: Kevin Costner Plans Departure from Western Genre
Kevin Costner Signals Departure from Westerns: “Time to Move On”
With his future in the Yellowstone universe settled following the show’s conclusion, and uncertainty surrounding the release of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2, Kevin Costner appears to be reconsidering the direction of his career.
In a recent interview promoting Kevin Costner’s The West, the 70-year-old actor, writer, and director opened up about his creative ambitions and hinted at moving away from the genre that has defined much of his film legacy.
Is Kevin Costner Finished with Westerns?
Costner’s name has become nearly synonymous with the modern Western. From his breakout role in Silverado (1985) to the Academy Award-winning Dances With Wolves, audiences have long associated him with the cowboy persona. But things have shifted.
When Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 hit theaters earlier this year, it failed to draw a substantial audience. The sequel was subsequently pulled from the release schedule, and although the film has since been screened at several festivals, critical reception has been tepid—many reviewers pointing to its lengthy three-hour runtime.
To complicate matters further, the production has been clouded by controversy. A lawsuit emerged over an unscripted sexual assault scene, adding more turbulence to the project’s already uncertain future.
All of this seems to have prompted Costner to reassess his path forward—though he’s not closing any doors.
“I’m willing to do anything where I feel like what I’m doing is for myself,” Costner shared. “It doesn’t have to be a Western; it could be something else. But when something is no longer interesting to me, or there’s some other reason that I need to move on, I’m willing to do that.”
Staying Relevant—On His Own Terms
While Westerns may have defined a large part of Costner’s career, his range extends far beyond the genre. From his iconic turns in Bull Durham and Field of Dreams to gripping roles in The Untouchables and No Way Out, Costner’s filmography spans genres and decades.
In the same interview, he reflected on the enduring power of storytelling—whether in film or literature—and the importance of creating work that resonates.
“I think you can write a short story, and it can live forever,” he said. “You can write a novel, and it can live forever. You can make a short movie, and it can live forever. It’s about how you’re telling it. It’s about whether people are going to be able to relate to it.”
He added, “The hope for me is that I can stay relevant—not only to myself but to people who find my work. I can’t create work that I think is going to find them. I can only create work that, when they do find it, reflects what I was feeling and my sensibility. And hopefully, they’re moved by it.”
A New Chapter Ahead?
Whether or not Costner returns to the Western genre remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: he’s focused on pursuing stories that speak to him personally—and is unafraid to pivot when inspiration takes him elsewhere.
